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I HAVE in a former part of this volume mentioned Dr. Manoel Arruda da Camara, as having published two pamphlets at Rio de Janeiro, in 1810. One of these is entitled “A Dissertation upon the Plants of Brazil from which fibrous substances may be obtained, adapted to various uses in society, and which may supply the place of hemp; the enquiry being made by order of the Prince Regent.” The other pamphlet is called “An Essay on the utility of establishing gardens in the principal provinces of Brazil for the cultivation of new plants.”

I shall only give those parts of the works which may be interesting to English readers.—Transl.

A DISSERTATION, &c.
Section 1st.
Of Plants which afford Fibres, properly so called.

Caroa, Bromelia variegata:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.—The description is taken from my Centuria of the genera and species of new plants of Pernambuco.

Class, Hexandria:—Order, Monogynia:—Division, Flowers complete.

Gen. Char. Calyx superior and trifid. Corolla tripetalous, with nectariferous scales at the base of each petal. Fruit an umbellate, trilocular berry.

Section 1st. With flowers discrete or separated.

Spec. Char. Leaves ciliate, spiny, stained with transverse green and whitish marks.

Nat. Char. No stem.

Leaves radical and few, (from 3 to 7) from three to six feet long, channelled, revolute and spiny, green in the interior or concave surface, and stained with transverse whitish marks on the exterior or convex surface.

Flowers, The stalk two feet long, flexuose and almost spiral, with alternate scales without thorns; the spike simple, the peduncle or flower stalk short. BracteÆ small, the floral leaves simple, and at the foot of each flower stalk. Calyx monophyllous, with obtuse indentations, trifid, tubular, permanent and erect. Corolla tripetalous, tubular, of a bluish purple colour, oblong, obtuse, erect, with nectariferous scales at the bases; from the middle of each petal to the bottom is a channel which sheaths a single filament of the stamina. Stamina consist of six filaments inserted in the receptacle; of these, three are alternate with, and three are opposite to the petals; of the last the bases run down the grooves in the petals, and fix themselves in the receptacle. Pistil consists of one filiform style, with a single stigma. Pericarp, an oval, pointed berry, somewhat angular and umbellate, nearly of the size of an olive.

The plant is to be found in the Sertoens of Pernambuco, Paraiba, SearÀ, and principally in the Sertam of Cariri de Fora, and PajaÙ, and upon the banks of the river St. Francisco. It blossoms in the months of July, August, and September.

USES.

The leaves of this plant are composed of two segments, one exterior and convex, and the other interior and concave; the former is more compact and hard, the latter is thinner; between them is to be found a quantity of longitudinal fibres, of the same length as the leaves, fixed in a juicy pulp. These fibres are strong, and from them cordage may be made, and even coarse cloth, if care is taken in preparing the thread. This may the more easily be done, from the enormous quantities which nature affords without the aid of cultivation. The inhabitants of the banks of the river St. Francisco weave their fishing nets of these fibres.

There are two methods of obtaining the fibres of the caroÀ. 1st. Having taken the leaf from the plant (which is easily done) the convex side of it should be clipped at the bottom with a knife, and with the other hand, the fibres pulled out, some force being necessary. They will bring with them a quantity of vegetable liquid, with which the pulp is soaked. For this reason the above manner of obtaining the thread is called ensuar o caroÀ, to sweat the caroÀ. The fibre which is thus extracted is green, and it is necessary to wash it, for the purpose of cleaning it. 2d. The leaves being taken from the plant, and being tied up in bundles, should be thrown into water, where they must be allowed to remain for four or five days; then they should be taken out to be beaten in bunches, that the hammers or mallets may not cut the fibres. This operation will not be sufficient to separate it from the pulp, but it will be necessary to tie it up again in bundles, and to steep it for two days or more, at the close of which the beating should be renewed; it must be yet a third time put into water, and beat. After this the fibres are usually obtained clean; and they should be wound up and braided that they may not be entangled.

I have observed, that by beating the leaves, and thus bruising them before they are in the first instance put into water, the labour is much diminished; and that maceration in stagnant waters produces the desired effect in much less time than in a cold running stream. If the fibres which are obtained by each process above-mentioned, are examined, it will be found that those which have undergone the first, are stronger than those of the second, but more labour is necessary; the difference, however, will not be experienced if the fibre is bruised before it is steeped, because this operation accelerates the maceration. The fibre of this, like that of all other plants, is subject to rot, if it is allowed to remain under water for any considerable time.

The expence of obtaining the thread which is extracted by the first process, cannot be calculated with exactitude, because it entirely depends upon the expertness of the persons who perform the work; and this again depends upon habit and practice. I have purchased it at 1200 reis per arroba of 32 lbs. or at 2½d. per lb. The fibre which is obtained by the second process, is sold at a cheaper rate, because the labour is less; I have purchased this at 1000 reis per arroba, rather more than 2d. per lb.

It is not necessary to cultivate the plant; many leagues of land are covered with it; and there are situations which are so completely overspread with it, that the ground cannot be passed over. This occurs in many parts of CurimataÛ, and of Cariri de Fora; both these places are in the captaincy of Paraiba. It is in these that I recommend the establishment of manufactories, for the purpose of extracting the fibre, for they are the nearest to the coast, and there are good roads to them by which the produce may be carried in carts and waggons. Although the caroÀ is long lived, still many leagues of the lands which were covered with it have been laid waste by the fires which mischievous persons, sportsmen, and even the owners of estates annually let loose (such is Arruda’s expression). It is probable that even the remaining caroÀ grounds will be destroyed, if government does not take some measures to prevent a continuance of such practices, fulminating penalties against the incendiaries of so useful a plant.[265]

Crauata de Rede, Bromelia Sagenaria:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. The description is taken from my Centuria of the genera and species of new plants of Pernambuco.

Class, Hexandria:—Order, Monogynia:—Division, Flowers complete.

Gen. Char. Calyx superior, and trifid. Corolla tripetalous, with nectariferous scales at the base of each petal. Fruit an umbellate trilocular berry.

Section 2d. With the flowers united by the receptacles or berries united in one.

Spec. Char. Leaves radical, ciliate serrated; the berries are united into one pyramidal fruit; the bracteÆ long, imbricate, covering the fruit.

Nat. Char. No stem.

Leaves radical and many, (from 3 to 9 feet long) one inch and a half wide, channelled; the edges ciliate spiny, ash-coloured on the convex, and green on the concave surface.

Flowers, The stalk, a foot and a half long, with alternate leaves, the flowers of a bluish purple colour, with the receptacles united. Calyx monophyllous, with obtuse indentations, trifid, erect. Corolla tripetalous, tubular, erect, obtuse, blue, each petal has at the base nectariferous scales. Stamina consist of six filiform filaments, three alternate and three opposite, fixed to the receptacle; and of oblong, bilocular anthers. Pistil consists of one filiform style with a single stigma. Pericarp, a trilocular berry, united by the sides to the other berries, which altogether form one pyramidal fruit, covered, having long imbricate bracteÆ. The seeds are of the size of a grain of maize, fasciated.

The plant is to be found upon the coast of Pernambuco, Paraiba, and Rio Grande, it does not extend into the interior more than ten or twelve leagues. It is commonly called crauatÀ de rede, or net crauatÀ, because the inhabitants of the parts in which it grows, make their fishing nets of its fibres. It blossoms in July and August.

This species of bromelia is new; the fruit of it is similar to that of the bromelia ananas, being however smaller; the berries are less juicy, and of a disagreeable taste; the bracteÆ are three inches in length, erect, and placed one over the other after the manner of tiles, so as to cover all the superficies of the fruit. I took its specific name of Sagenaria, from the circumstance of its fibres being used by fishermen for making their nets.

The fibre of the plant varies in length from three to eight feet, according to the greater or less fertility of the land; in dry land it is short, fine, and soft; in good land, it is longer but likewise thicker and rough; the strength of it is great, the following fact proving that this is the case. Upon the wharf of the city of Paraiba, there is a rope made of this fibre, which has been in use during many years, for the purpose of embarking the bales (of manufactured goods, I suppose) and chests of sugar: with the same rope the anchors of a line of battle ship were embarked, which had been left at Paraiba by the (charrua) ship Aguia; they were intended for Bahia, and could not be raised by hempen cables of greater diameter.

It is with difficulty that this kind of fibre becomes white by the common manner of bleaching, which proceeds from a certain natural varnish (if I may be allowed so to call it) with which the surface is covered; it does not rot so easily as other kinds of fibre, when soaked in water. From this property the fishermen prefer it for their nets; but notwithstanding the natural varnish of its coloured parts, the fishermen increase its power to resist the water, by carbonising (if I may be allowed so to say) the threads of their nets with astringents which they obtain from various plants; such as the bark of the aroeira and of the coipuna, and for this purpose the nets are steeped for some time in a decoction or infusion of these barks, as is practised in tanning.

From the qualities which it possesses, and which I have just mentioned, I am persuaded that the fibre is well adapted to the manufacture of cables, and cordage; and the specimens of cloth, and one pair of stockings which by this opportunity I forward to the ministry, made of it, indicate the possibility of manufacturing sail-cloth from it, and even finer cloths, if improvements were made in its preparation; but these are at present entirely disregarded.

The leaf of the plant is composed of two ligneous plates, one convex and the other concave; and also of a quantity of longitudinal fibres inserted between them, and united to each other by juicy fecula, but sufficiently attached to prevent them from being disengaged by the hand; therefore they can only be extracted by maceration. The plant is rooted up, which is done by means of a forked stick, and is called desbancar. The leaves must then be taken from the stem, and thirdly the thorns must be taken off, which is done easily by separating the spiny edges with a knife. The leaves being thus prepared are steeped in water for about a fortnight. The maceration is known to be complete when the outward rind and ligneous bark of the leaves are sufficiently soft to be pierced by the nail; the leaves are then taken out of the water one by one, and the base of each of them is opened until the fibres appear; the rind of each surface must be secured with one hand, that with the other the fibres may be pulled out; even so they will be removed with other substances attached to them. For the purpose of being cleaned, they must be braided and again steeped for one day, and then beaten with mallets upon a bench, and the maceration and beating must be repeated until the fibres become clean. I have paid for each arroba of it 1920 reis, or 4d. per lb. But the usual price at which it is sold is from 120 to 160 reis, or 8d. to 10½d. per lb.

Ananas Manso, Bromelia Ananas.

Class, Hexandria:—Order, Monogynia:—Division, Flowers complete.

The use which is made of the ananas at our tables is so common that in this respect it is unnecessary that any thing should be said; therefore I shall only mention the purposes to which the fibrous property of its leaves may be applied. This I discovered in 1801, when I was directed by a Royal Order to make enquiry into the fibrous qualities of indigenous plants. I found, on comparing the fibre of this with that of all others, that it is the strongest and the finest, and that it is adapted to the manufacture of cloth even of superior quality. I took the leaves of two of these plants which weighed 14 lbs. I beat them with mallets, washing those portions which had been beat; they yielded rather more than one quarter of a pound of thread. The operation lasted nine hours, being performed by one man. It is bleached with great ease. The ananas may be produced in almost all kinds of land; it will grow in a sandy soil, and still more does it flourish in that which is argillaceous; the sun does not destroy it, nor is it injured by rain; no insect attacks it. Each shoot multiplies so largely, that in a short time the space which has been at first left between each plant, is soon filled up. After a bed of ananas has once been planted, very little care is required to keep it in order. I have known some which have existed sixteen years without requiring to be replanted. An excellent beverage may be obtained from it by fermentation.[266]

Ananas de Agulha, Bromelia muricata:—Arrud. Cent. Plant.

I have given the description of this plant in my first centuria; and do not describe it in this place because I have not made any experiments with it, but I suspect that it possesses fibrous qualities. Its fruit is of the same make as that of the ananas manso and of the crauata de rede, from which it principally differs, in having, instead of bracteÆ, thorns of three inches and a half in length, raised in the direction of the fruit, so that being covered with these sharp thorns, it cannot be taken hold of without much care; from this peculiarity it is that I took the specific name of the species.

Caroata, Bromelia Karatas:—Lin.

The little importance which the fibre of this species can claim, renders it unnecessary for me to give a minute description of it. The leaves are from 8 to 10 feet long, and afford a great quantity of fibre, but it is not strong, and can only be applied to very ordinary purposes.

Caroata-aÇu, ou Piteira, Agave vivipara:—Lin. Syst. Veg.

Class, Hexandria:—Order, Monogynia.

The only uses to which at the present time this plant is put, are the following. Its spungy pith possesses the property of burning gently without extinguishing; the peasants therefore are in the habit of putting some of it into their fires when they wish to prevent them from going out for a considerable time. Hedges are made of it, by planting the bulbs or tender shoots; these easily take root and grow. Piso says, “ex foliis hujus plantÆ optimus pannus conficitur, qui si rite prÆparetur, panno lineo excedit; folia stupam quoque et filosam materiam suppeditant, ex qua fila et retia sua contexunt piscatores.” From hence it may be inferred that the Dutch knew better than we do how to take advantage of the natural productions of the country. At the present time even the fishermen do not make use of its fibre for their lines and nets, substituting in place of it the crauata de rede. The only use to which the Portugueze apply the fibre of the agave, is in making the cords, which the friars of the Third Order of St. Francis, commonly called of Jesus, wear round their waists.

The fibre is to be obtained by maceration, but the leaves must in the first instance be bruised, and afterwards steeped.[267]

Coqueiro, Cocos Nucifera—Lin. Syst. Veget.

The oil which is obtained from the pulp of the fruit is easily separated from the mucilage by means of fire; thirty-two cocos rendered me 17 lbs. of oily pulp, and these gave me three pounds of pure oil. It is fitted to other purposes besides that of food, for it serves to give light; and mixed with soda it yields good soap, white and hard. One hundred cocos give one canada of oil of the canadas of Pernambuco. So that each coco costing 10 reis, a canada may be obtained for 1280 reis, or 7s. 1¼d.

From the fibre of the outward rind of the coco, which is called cairo, may be made all kinds of cordage; even cables are manufactured from it.

The only means by which the fibre of the coco rind can be obtained, are by beating and maceration; before the rind is put into water to steep, it ought to be beaten for the purpose of loosening its texture, principally that of the outward surface, which is hard and compact; and this should be done that the water may penetrate with more ease. After the first operation, it must be left to steep for two or three days, and then should be beaten; and this should be continued until the separation is accomplished; great care, however, should be taken that the rind of the coco be not allowed to dry. Because I have observed, that if this occurs, the ligneous fecula or spongy pulp, which is found intermixed with the fibres, adheres still more strongly to them. I have likewise remarked, that from the rind which has been recently taken from the coco, the fibre is much more easily extracted than from that which has been along time separated from it.[268]

The rind of 40 cocos rendered me 6lbs. of cairo. The annual produce of the coco groves of Itamaraca is 360,000 cocos, more or less; and according to calculation these are capable of yielding 1680 arrobas of prepared cairo. The island of Itamaraca is three leagues in length, and the coast is alone planted with coco trees, and if these are thus productive what might not the coco groves yield, which extend along the coast from the river St. Francisco to the bar of Mamanguape, a distance of 94 leagues all cultivated with coco trees?[269]

Aninga, Arum liniferum:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Class, Monoecia. Order, Polyandria.[270]

Gen. Char. Spathe monophyllous, cucullate, large. Spadix shorter than the spathe, simple, clubbed at the naked end; at the base are the female flowers, and in the middle the male.

Spec. Char. Stem arboraceous, leaves sagittate, about one foot long, petioles of two feet.

Nat. Char. Stem from 6 to 8 feet long, two to three inches in diameter, straight, cylindrical, of an ashy-green colour, marked with scars of the fallen leaves; the substance spongy, juicy, soft; and in this substance are numerous longitudinal fibres, of the thickness of the hairs of horses’ tails, long.

Branches are uncommon.

Leaves are rather more than one foot long and of the same breadth at the base, sagittate, simple, coriaceous. Petioles, amplexicaul, two feet long, channelled from the base to the middle, where the channel ends in an appendix of 23 inches, the remainder is cylindrical.

Flowers, axillary, solitary. Calyx a spathe longer than the spadix. The spadix is almost one foot long. Stamina numerous. Pericarp, many berries at the base of the spadix.

The plant is to be found in Pernambuco, and it grows so plentifully in marshes that many are covered with it.

The substance of the stem of the plant is spongy, and full of an acid juice which acts upon metals; some of the peasants use this in cleaning their knives, firelocks, &c. This is the only use to which the plant has, as yet, been applied; but from the experiments which I have made upon it, I am persuaded that it may be rendered serviceable in the manufacture of cordage of great strength.

As the fibres are placed in the pulp longitudinally, and are slightly fixed to it, the operations of beating and washing will separate them entirely. I have not made any experiments as to the durability of the cordage.

Tucum. This is the name which is given to a species of palm tree, but I have not yet been able to acquaint myself with what genus it belongs to. Piso speaks of it, giving a bad print of it and a worse description. Manoel Ferreira da Camara in his Descrip. fisica da Comarca dos Ilheos, exaggerates the utility of the fibre of the plant. I tried to obtain the fibre from the leaves in a dry state, or, as the peasants term it, suado (sweated.) I held with the left hand the point of the leaf, and with the right rather lower down, I doubled it as if I was going to break it, at the same time pulling it. After it was broken, there remained in my left hand some fibres, which had been loosened from the inner surface of the leaf. I soon saw that this would not do, for one person would not be able to extract more than one eighth of a lb. of fibre in the course of the day; therefore I had recourse to maceration, but this did not succeed, for at the close of eight days I found that both the leaves and the fibre had rotted. Other species of palms grow in great numbers, forming groves of many leagues, such as the CarnÂÙba, the palmeira, properly so called, the uricuri, and the catolÉ, &c. but the tucum and another kind called MaiarÀ grow in the shade of the woods, where they are much scattered, each tree being at some distance from the other; the tucum has few leaves; it is a thin palm tree of 5 to 6 inches in diameter and of 12 to 16 feet in length.

Macaiba or Macauba, Cocos ventricosa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. The description is taken from my centuria of the genera and species of new plants of Pernambuco.

Class, Monoecia. Order, Hexandria.

Gen. Char. Spathe simple; spadix ramose.

Male Flower; calyx, a trifid perianth. Corolla, tripetalous; six stamina; germen barren. Female Flower; calyx trifid; stigmata three; fruit a drupe.

Spec. Char. Stem aculeate, ventricose; leaves pinnate; small leaves ensiform replicate.

Nat. Char. Stem 30 feet long, ventricose, armed with sharp thorns circularly arranged.

Flowers. Spathe monophyllous, lanceolate, concave, large. Spadix divided into many spikes. The female flowers below, the male flowers above; close to which the bases are fixed in cups hollowed in the common peduncle. Calyx, a perianth of three linear pieces, very small, alternate with the petals of the corolla. Corolla, tripetalous, oblong, concave, pointed, yellowish. Stamina consist of six filiform filaments of the length of the corolla and of incumbent anthers, oblong. Pistil, style thick, without a stigma, barren. Female Flowers. Calyx small, whitish, monophyllous, trifid, irregular, permanent. Corolla tripetalous, rounded, the sides imbricate and united in the middle with the nectary. Nectary, a monophyllous corolla which lines and reunites within the bases of the petals. Stamina, none. Pistil consists of a rounded germen, a very short style and three stigmata, simple. Pericarp, a round drupe, of the size of a large jambo or rose apple, or of a small common apple, yellowish: it consists of a ligneous exterior bark which is weak; of a bony nut, an oily almond, and a layer of oily, yellow pulp.

The plant is to be found in Pernambuco, and in some other parts of Brazil.

The oily pulp of the fruit and the almond of the inner stone is eaten, and is sold in the markets. The ventricose or middle part of the stem contains a fecula which is extracted in times of want, and is eaten being prepared in various manners. The leaf contains a fibre fine and strong, like the leaf of the tucum; but like that it is difficult to obtain when dry or suado, and impossible to get it by maceration, for the same happened with this as with the tucum in the experiments which I made. This is a new species, and owing to the middle of the stem being much thicker than the extremities, I have given to it the specific name of cocos ventricosa. For some time I was in doubt whether I should place it in this genus or not, on account of its monopetalous nectary, which lines and unites the petals of the corolla within. The female as well as the male flowers are fixed in cups hollowed in the spike or common peduncle. The female flowers are solitary, that is, each in its cup; the male flowers are two and two.[271]

These are the fibrous plants of Brazil which are of the most importance. It is evident that of all that have been mentioned there are only four which can be made use of advantageously for cordage. The caroa (bromelia variegata); the crauatÀ de rede, (bromelia sagenaria); the caroata-aÇu (agave vivipara); and the fibre of the rind of the coco da praia (cocos nucifera); their cheapness, the ease with which they may be prepared, their abundance, and the possibility of obtaining them still cheaper, render these the fibres of chief importance. The fibre of the leaf of the tucum, which has been so much extolled, and that of the macaiba, and of the dendezeiro (another palm) cannot become of general service to society, and much less can they be rendered applicable to the use of shipping, from the difficulty with which they are to be obtained, and from many other circumstances.

Section 2d.

Carrapixo, Urena Sinuata:—Lin. Syst. Veget. edit. 14.

Class, Monadelphia:—Order, Polyandria.

The bark of this plant is with ease separated by means of maceration for a fortnight; and from it cords are made for many purposes, and although they are not very strong, they are much esteemed for slinging hammocks; when the operation of macerating is made in clean water, the fibre becomes pretty well whitened. The plant is not cultivated; and in the neighbourhood of Paratibi it grows spontaneously, in such quantities that the inhabitants of that village gather it for sale. I have heard that it grows in abundance at Rio de Janeiro, and is known there by the name of guaxuma. The name of carrapixo is likewise given in Pernambuco to some other plants, of which the seeds stick to whatever chances to touch them, by means of small ears which are thorny; for this reason the plant of which we are treating is sometimes called carrapixinho, for the purpose of distinguishing it.

Guaxuma do Mangue, Hibiscus Pernambucensis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Class, Monadelphia:—Order, Polyandria.

Gen. Char. Calyx double, the outside divided into many segments, the inside into five segments, campanulate. Capsule quinque-locular; many seeds.

Spec. Char. Leaves cordate, entire; stem fruit-bearing, with the exterior calyx monophyllous, having eight notches.

Nat. Char. Stem of six feet and more; bark black, few branches.

Leaves cordate, rounded, acuminated, entire; the petioles cylindrical. Stipules deciduous, acute.

Flowers, Large, yellow, like those of the cotton plant, axillary and terminal; each peduncle of one, two, and three flowers. Calyx double, permanent, the exterior monophyllous, with eight notches, acute; the interior monophyllous, campanulate, divided into five segments, acute and long. Corolla pentapetalous, yellow, and the petals hold the stameniferous column upon their bases. Stamina numerous, fixed to the stameniferous column by subulate filaments; anthers rounded. Pistil consists of one oval germen acuminate; one style, which is longer than the column of the stamina, erect, and it has four or five separate stigmata. Pericarp a capsule of almost one inch long, pentangular and quinque-locular, inclosed in the calyx, which is much enlarged after fecundation.

The plant is to be found in Pernambuco in places near to the sea, or where salt water reaches, and principally upon the banks of the rivers Goiana and Paraiba. I have found it in flower and fruit in the months of February and March.

The persons who catch crabs tie them to each other with the bark of the plant; and this is the only use to which it is applied. Cordage might be made of its inner rind, as is practised in some parts of America with the hibiscus populneus; also the hibiscus tiliaceus, from which at Cayenne cords for common use are made.

Embira Branca or Jangadeira, Apeiba Cimbalaria:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Class, Poliandria:—Order, Monogynia.

Gen. Char. Calyx, monophyllous, trifid; pericarp a decem-locular capsule, covered with thorns or spines, depressed, opening only on the lower side.

Spec. Char. Stem of 20 to 30 feet long, and of one foot and a half in diameter.

Leaves ovate, lanceolate, cordate, reticulate, green and smooth above, covered with hairs, which are of a copper colour underneath. Stamina monadelphic. The plant is to be found in Pernambuco, abounding in the virgin woods. It blossoms from August to October.

The timber of this tree is not compact, and its specific gravity is much less than that of water, with which it does not easily become saturated. The inhabitants of the coast make use of it for the purpose of constructing rafts; three or four of these trees are put together, and are well fastened to each other[272]. The bark of the tree is fibrous, and from it a great quantity of cordage is made for the common purposes of the country.

Marcgraff calls it Apeiba; and Aublet adopted the same name when he fixed the genus of the three species which he describes in Guiana, and he supposes that the species tibourbu is the same as that which Marcgraff speaks of in Pernambuco; they are certainly alike, but I imagine that it must be a variety, from the size of the tree, which only grows there to the height of eight feet, and here it exceeds 20 feet. There is less hair upon the leaves, the silky work of the edges is not so deep; and there is even some difference in the shape; the stamina are manifestly monadelphic. This last circumstance inclined me to call it apeiba monadelpha, but the use to which the tree is applied in the construction of rafts decided me in calling it cimbalaria.

Embira Vermelha, Unona carminativa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This plant has a red fibrous bark, of which as much use is made in manufacturing cordage as of the embira branca; but the bark ought not be permitted to be gathered, for the tree produces seeds, of which the capsules have the taste and the pungency of black pepper. Many persons make use of them as a spice in cooking, and some even prefer them to pepper; they are carminative. If the bark is taken off, the tree dies; the seeds are worthy of becoming an article of trade as a spice.[273]

I have omitted a great number of plants which possess fibrous properties, that this Dissertation might not be made too long; some of them are not much in use, and others are not applied to any purpose. I shall mention some, such as the guaxuma branca da mata (helicteras baruensis) of which the inner bark is white and strong, but on being wetted, it becomes rotten and breaks. However, I think it might be applied to the manufacture of paper. The barriguda or sumÀÛma (bombax ventricosa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.) and the Sertam plant, called the embiratanha, which I have named bombax mediterranea, also afford fibre from the bark, but they are not much used. All the species anona (called commonly areticum) afford fibre, and of these the plant which gives the strongest and the most durable fibre is the areticum a pÉ. The cord with which the flag of Fort Cabedello at Paraiba is hoisted, is made of the rind of this plant, and it has been there for many years. Finally all the plants of the genera hibiscus, sidas, altheas, and in general all the mallows afford fibre of greater or less strength. The embiriba (lecythis) gives tow, and although it cannot be applied to the manufacture of cordage, its use is great for caulkers.

An Essay on the Utility of establishing Gardens in the principal Provinces of Brazil.

The first part of this pamphlet treats of the advantages which Brazil would obtain by the establishment of Royal Botanic Gardens. The second part contains a list of those plants which it would be expedient to transplant from other quarters of the globe to Brazil, and from one part of Brazil to the other. I shall only translate that portion of the second part which relates to the plants of Brazil.—Transl.

Plants of ParÀ and Maranham.

Cravo do Maranham, Myrtus caryophylata.

Pixuri.

Abacati., Laurus Persea:—The fruit of this tree contains a butterous substance, which is very pleasant; there are two kinds or varieties, one of which is distinguished by the name of Cayenne.

Bacuri, Moronobea esculenta:—This tree grows to a great height; and the stem is entirely without branches, forming at the top a large cope. The fruit is nearly of the size of an orange, but it is oval and contains 23 stones covered with a white pulp, which have a pleasant taste, being sweet, and somewhat acid. In Pernambuco is to be found another species of the same genus, growing in marshes, which is commonly called gulandim; on cutting into the stem a white juice oozes out, which appears to me to be resinous, and perhaps might be applied to some use. Both these species are described in my Centuria of the new genera and species of the plants of Pernambuco.

Bacaba, Areca Bacaba:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. This palm tree is a species of areca oleracea, producing however larger fruit; the nut is covered with a mucilaginous pulp, from which the inhabitants of the places in which it grows make an excellent beverage, called bacabada or ticuara de bacabas.

Abacaxi, Bromelia:—There are three varieties of ananas at Maranham, called abacaxi; of one the fruit is white, and the leaves are not serrated; of another the fruit is of a purple colour, and the leaves spiny; the third I have not seen. I brought the two first varieties to Pernambuco, where they have been planted, and are already becoming common, and they have been forwarded by some patriotic persons to other provinces. Their flavour is much superior to that of the species which has been long well known.

Maracuja Mamam, Passiflora Alata.

Plants of Seara.

Piqui, Acantacaryx Pinguis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. This plant produces most abundantly a fruit of the size of an orange, of which the pulp is oily, feculous, and very nourishing. It is the delight of the inhabitants of SearÀ and Piauhi. The tree grows to the height of fifty feet, and is of proportionate thickness. The timber of it is of as good quality as that of the cicopira, for ship-building. It grows well in the sandy plains which are in Pernambuco called taboleiros, and in Piauhi chapadas, therefore its cultivation would be very advantageous in the taboleiros bordering the coast, which are at present of no service. It has afforded great assistance to the people in times of drought and famine.

Buriti, An Borassus?—This species of palm is one of the highest and most beautiful of trees; it grows only in bogs and marshes; the fruit is of the size of a hen’s egg, and of the same form; it is of a red colour at the time of maturation, and is covered with scales spirally arranged. Under the scales is found a layer of oily pulp of the same red colour, from which the inhabitants of Piauhi obtain an emulsion; when this is mixed with sugar, it becomes a substantial drink, which is by no means unpleasant. However, if it is used to excess, the colour of the fruit is communicated to the surface of the skin, and to the white of the eyes, producing the appearance of jaundice, but without any injury to the health.

Maracuja Suspiro, Passiflora:—This is the finest flavoured fruit of the genus; it is called suspiro, because one of them may be swallowed at once, leaving upon the palate a most exquisite taste and a sweet smell. It is to be found in the Serra de Beruoca, upon the borders of AcaracÙ.[274]

Mandapuca, Myrtus Scabra:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Coco Naia, a large palm tree, which is to be found abundantly in Cariri Novo and Piauhi; the nut contains three or four seeds, from which oil is extracted, and this is applied to the same purposes as that of the cocos nucifera. The nut is covered with a feculous substantial flour, which has afforded much relief in times of need. From this fecula is made a soup or angÙ, as it is called, which is seasoned with the emulsion or oil obtained from the almond of the same fruit. The pith of the tops of these palms is a white substance, tender, juicy, sweetish, and pleasant to the taste, and it is harmless even if eaten raw. If it be boiled with meat, the taste is not unlike the cabbage, but it is more solid. After having taken from it the saccharine parts by means of one boiling, it becomes capable of being seasoned, and many excellent dishes are made from them, after the manner of the areca oleracea. For the knowledge of these last uses the inhabitants of those parts are indebted to my example. The same may be practised with the palmeira pindoba (cocos butiroza, Lin.) which is very common at Pernambuco. For these purposes the larger trees should not be cut down, but rather only those which have attained the height of ten or fifteen feet.[275]

Marangaba, Psidium Pigmeum:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This is a species of goiaba plant which does not attain more than two or three feet in height; it abounds in the chapada of the Serra Araripe of Cariri Novo.[276]

In front of my house at Itamaraca, there was a dendezeiro which stood alone, and I know that there was no other tree of the same species anywhere within sight. The tree bore fruit.—Transl.

Plants of Pernambuco.

Carapitaia, Carlotea formosissima:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Bilros, Carlotea Speciosa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Two beautiful species of a new genus, which I have dedicated to H. R. H. the Princess of Brazil; the roots of these plants are tuberous, abounding with soft and nutritive fecula, which has afforded assistance to the people of the Sertam of PajaÙ in times of drought. These plants are worthy of being cultivated not only from their utility but for the purpose of ornamenting gardens, their flowers being umbellate, crimson, and very beautiful.

Canella do Mato, Linharia aromatica:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Catinga Branca, Linharea tinctoria:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Of the first of these plants the leaves and bark have a pleasant smell, which is like that of cloves. It is not as yet used, being unknown. I have made use of the leaves and bark of this plant in distilling rum, and have obtained a pleasant liqueur. I have learnt by experience that the extract of the leaves is not only pleasant to the taste and smell, but that it likewise strengthens the stomach. It is to be found in the greatest abundance upon the taboleiros, which bound the captaincies of Paraiba and SearÀ, upon the borders of PinhancÒ, and I have likewise seen it in Piauhi.[277]

The second of these plants is a shrub which grows abundantly upon the skirts of the mountains, and upon the banks of the rivulets of the Sertoens of Pernambuco, Paraiba, and Seara. It yields by boiling a yellow dye, which is sufficiently durable upon skins. It is probable that some means might be found of fixing the colour upon cotton cloth, as is the case with the tatajuba (morus tinctoria). Besides this use, it is applied to that of curing sarnas, an eruptive complaint; the patient being washed in a decoction of the leaves. As I could not arrange these plants in any of the known genera, I have formed one for them to which I have given the name of Linharea, in memory of D. Rodrigo de Souza Coutinho, Conde de Linhares, the cultivator and protector of letters.

Carnauba or Carnaiba, Corypha cerifera:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. This palm is one of the most useful plants of the Sertoens; it rises to the height of thirty feet and more; the varzeas or low lands upon the borders of the rivers and rivulets of Pernambuco, Paraiba do Norte, SearÀ, and Piauhi, and principally the banks of the rivers Jaguaribe, Apodi, MossorÒ, and AÇu, are covered with these trees. When the fruit of it has attained the size of a small olive (which when green it resembles in form), it should be boiled several times in different water to take off its astringent properties; and then a sufficient boiling being given it becomes soft and has the taste of boiled maize. In this state it is eaten with milk, and is a wholesome food. The pith of the stem of the young plants, being bruised in water, affords a nutritive fecula, as white as that of mandioc. The plant should not much exceed the height of a man when used for this purpose. It is of great service to the inhabitants of those parts in times of drought and famine. The leaves of the young plant are of two feet in length, and are doubled after the manner of a fan, whilst they are yet young; afterwards they open, and become of little less than two feet in breadth. If they are cut in this state, and are allowed to dry in the shade, a considerable quantity of small light coloured scales will be loosened from the surface. These will melt by the heat of a fire into white wax, of which it possesses the properties; it is however more brittle, but this may be remedied by mixing it with the common wax, which is more oily. In 1797 I made known this discovery to the R. P. M. Fr. Joze Marianno da ConceiÇam Vellozo, who published the account of it in the Paladio Portuguez; but at that time I was not so well aware as I am now of the importance of the wax.

The fruit of this tree when ripe is black and shining, and of the size of eggs of tame pigeons. The kernel is covered with a layer of sweet pulp, which is eaten by cattle, as are also the dry leaves which fall, when other food fails. The leaves are used for covering houses, and although thus exposed to the weather, they last for twenty years without requiring to be renewed. The stem is made use of for building houses, for fences, pens, &c.[278]

Anil de Pernambuco, Koanophyllon tinctoria:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This is a shrub which grows to the height of twelve feet or more. It is of the class syngenesia; the leaves are from two to three inches in length, and of proportionate breadth; it is enough to soak a piece of cotton cloth in its juice for it to become green, and from this colour it is changed to blue by the absorption of the oxigen of atmospheric air. The colour becomes so fixed, that it resists the action of soap and the lye of potash, and it rather brightens than fades after it has undergone these experiments. It is probable that by fermentation and beating, it may yield blue fecula, like the common indigo (indigofera tinctoria). I know that it may be cultivated with ease, for I have sown the seeds which are like those of the lettuce; they come up in a few days. The land which is adapted to it is varzea fresca, or marshy land composed of maÇape, or stiff clay.

Anil trepador, Cissus tinctorius:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

If the leaves of this plant are rubbed upon a white cloth, they impart to it a green colour like that of any other herb. By exposure to atmospheric air it changes this colour for a fixed blue, which resists the lye of potash and soap. It is found in the mountains and low lands of the Sertoens.

Herva Lombrigueira or Arapabaca, Spigelia anthelmia:—Lin. Syst. Veget.

This plant has anthelminthic properties, and is sold in our towns. It grows abundantly in argillaceous low lands.

Urucu, Bixa Orellana. Lin.

This is a shrub, and is worthy of cultivation from the dye which the leaves afford; but it is not cultivated by any one in Pernambuco, not even as a curiosity.

Pitombeira, Meleagrinex Pernambucana:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This tree grows to the height of 30 or 40 feet; the timber of it is compact and may be applied to some purposes. It produces its fruit in large rounded bunches, in capsules which do not open. It has a solid kernel of two cotyledons, covered with a sweetish acid pulp, which is not unpleasant. If turkeys eat of these kernels they die immediately; from this circumstance I took the name of the genus, of which I have only found two species.

Imbuzeiro, Spondia tuberosa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This is a tree which grows plentifully in the Sertoens of Pernambuco and Paraiba. It produces a fruit which is rather smaller than pullets eggs, obovate, with five points at the lower part, being the indications of the five stigmata. Its colour is yellow, and below the coriaceous epidermis, it retains a juicy pulp, of a pleasant sweetish acid taste. With this juice, and milk, curds, and sugar, a much esteemed mess is made, called imbuzada. This tree throws out long horizontal roots, which penetrate very little, and upon these are seen at short distances round tubers of eight inches (hum palmo) in diameter, full of water, like unto water-melons; these supply the vegetation of the tree in seasons of drought, and sometimes refresh the sportsman who has penetrated into the woods. The re-production of the tree is very easy by means of shoots.

Piranga, Bignonia tinctoria:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This is a fruit-bearing and sarmentose plant; its leaves yield, by boiling, a red dye, which can be made a fixed dye upon cotton cloth, by means of preparations analogous to those which are made for madder.

Umari, Geoffroya spinosa:—Jacq. Stirp. Americ.

This plant, which Jacquim found at Carthagena in the sandy lands near to the coast, grows at Pernambuco upon argillaceous low lands, upon which it arrives at 30 or 40 feet in height; in Carthagena, according to the same author, it does not reach more than twelve feet. The flowers are yellow, and have a smell which is similar to that of the coco-oil; those of Carthagena have a disagreeable smell. May they not be two separate species? From the almond of this plant is extracted a white and nutritive fecula, of which the inhabitants of the Rio do Peixe, and of the Sertam of Paraiba do Norte make much use. The plant grows very plentifully in the low lands of those parts, and it is also to be met with in the province of Rio Grande do Norte.

Ipecacuanha preta, Ipecacuanha officinalis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Until the present time the botanists of Europe have not known to what genus this plant belongs. Some of them thought it was the euphorbia Ipecacuanha, others, that it was the psoralia glandulosa, others, the spirÆa trifoliata, others the viola ipecacuanha, finally others suspected that it was the psychotria emetica; but I have observed the ipecacuanha preta very frequently when in flower, and I think that it has more affinity to the tapagomea of Aublet. However, I have given it the name of ipecacuanha, for although both are barbarous, still the latter has been used for a century and a half. The Ipecacuanha is easily cultivated, for I have made the experiment, but it requires shade, or at any rate it must not be completely exposed to the heat of the sun.

Ipecacuanha branca, Viola Ipecacuanha:—Lin. Pombalia Ipecacuanha: Vandel.

Although the root of this plant was formerly mistaken for that of the ipecacuanha preta, it is well known now to be of another description. It is much used in medicine in Pernambuco, as a gentle purgative, &c. It is easily cultivated, and delights in a moist atmosphere and a sandy soil. In the neighbourhood of the Campina Grande (of Paraiba) I have seen large pieces of ground covered with the plant. Of this species of ipecacuanha our druggists might make their syrup of viola, and our physicians might without scruple apply the flowers and calyx in place of the flowers of the viola odorata, for it promotes expectoration, and possesses stimulant qualities which strengthen the nerves.

Contra-herva, Dorstenia rotundifolia:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Contra-herva de folha longana, Dorstenia Pernambucana:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

These two species of contra-herva are new, and are peculiar to Pernambuco; besides these two I have not met with any other species. But they have the same virtue as the true contra-herva of Mexico (dorstenia contra-herva), and the physicians of Pernambuco do not use any other. They are to be found in great quantities in some parts.

Angelim, Skolemora Pernambucensis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

The fruit of this tree possesses the strongest vegetable anthelminthic properties with which I am acquainted. It is necessary to be careful in the use of it, for if the dose is too large, the medicine will attack the nervous system, and produce convulsions. The common dose is one-fourth part of a seed for an adult. I know of three species of this plant.

Batata de purga, Convolvulus mechoacan.

The root of this species of convolvulus is tuberose; and a dose of two drachms of the fecula is sufficient as a purgative. The root is cut into small slices that it may be dried with more ease; a thread is then passed through the middle of each slice, for the purpose of exposing them for sale. It is a gentle purgative, and is now much in use, therefore it is worthy of being cultivated. It may be observed as being remarkable, that quantities of the root are sometimes sold by the peasants which have little effect. This ought to be attributed to its being gathered out of season. All plants should be gathered after their maturation. Thus the batata de purga should be gathered after the fruit and leaves have dried, but before the rains come on. I have observed in Pernambuco two species of convolvulus, of tuberose roots, both of which are purgative, and the prepared root of both is commonly known under the name of purga de batata; one of these is the true convolvulus mechoacan, and is different from the other in leaf, branch, and fruit; of this I have given the description in my Centuria of new plants.[279]

Papo de Peru, Aristolochia grandiflora:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This beautiful species of aristolochia, which I first met with in the torrents of Cariri Novo, is medicinal, and is worthy of being cultivated in gardens, not only for its utility, but likewise on account of the beauty and size of its flower. Besides this, I am acquainted with five species of aristolochia, some of which may be made useful. The plant is commonly called angelicÒ.

Mangabeira, Ribeirea sorbilis. This tree grows well in the sandy lands of the taboleiros; the fruit varies from the size of a pigeon’s egg to that of a pullet’s; the colour is a greenish yellow, spotted with red; it is almost of the consistence of the service; and is well known in the markets of Pernambuco and Bahia. Considerable numbers of these trees are now cultivated in the neighbourhood of Olinda; and the attention which is paid to the tree has improved the fruit. If this is pounded spirituous fermentation takes place with great ease, and from this passes to acetosity; thus the juice forms most excellent vinegar, in a very short period, which I found to be stronger than that of the grape, of the sugar cane, of bananas or of cambuins. I have described this new genus in my Cent. Plant. Pern. dedicating it to my disciple P. Joam Ribeiro Pessoa de Mello Montenegro, professor of drawing in the seminary of Olinda. He is worthy of this honour, not only from having attempted to introduce into this captaincy the cultivation of some useful exotic plants, but from the curious and philosophical examination which he has made respecting the wonderful phenomenon of the manner of the fructification of the mangabeira plant, which will be found in my Centuria Plant. Pern.

Oiti Coroia, Pleragina rufa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Oiti da Praia, Pleragina odorata:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

Oiticica or Catingueira, Pleragina umbrosissima.

The first species of this genus (oiti coroia) produces an irregular drupe, of which the kernel is covered with a sweet fecula, somewhat aromatic, pleasant, nutritive. It is large enough to satisfy one person. It is sold in the markets, and by some individuals it is now cultivated.

The second species (oiti da praia) produces an oval or oblong drupe, very little smaller than a hen’s egg; it is yellow at the period of maturation; the kernel is covered with a sweet, aromatic, and nutritive pulp.

The third species (oiticica) is peculiar to the Sertoens, where it grows upon the borders of rivers and rivulets. It rises to the height of 50 or 60 feet; its branches are so diffuse, and double so much, that they nearly reach the ground, forming a spacious cope. The fruit is an oblong drupe of two inches or more in length, and of half an inch in thickness; it always retains its green colour, even when ripe. The kernel is not hard like the kernels of the two preceding species, but it is ligneous and flexible, and can easily be broken; it is covered with a layer of astringent pulp. The almond is a seed composed of two oily cotyledons of a disagreeable taste, but abounding with an oil, of which some use is now made.

Gendiroba or Andiroba, Feuillea cordifolia;—Lin.

This is of the natural order of cucurbitaceous plants; the seeds are very oily, and from them oil is easily extracted, which, as well as that of the cocos nucifera, has the property of coagulating. I have made good soap from it even with potash, depriving it of carbonic acid by means of virgin lime.

Caroba, Kordelestris symphilitica;—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern. Bignonia copaia; Aublet. Guien.

Caroba miuda, or casco de cavallo, Kordelestris undulata;—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

These two species possess antivenereal properties, and are particularly serviceable against the infection which is called bobas, yaws.

Barbatimam, Mimosa virginalis;—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This tree is not very large; its bark is one of the strongest astringents, and is at the same time somewhat stimulating, which renders it applicable to some disorders. The peasants use it to heal their own wounds, as well as those of animals. Women use it after child-bearing, bathing themselves in a decoction of the leaves. I am persuaded that the extract of it, if it did not exceed would at least equal in medicinal virtue the mimoza catechu.

Almecega, Amyris Pernambucensis;—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.

This is a tree which sometimes attains a great height; from its bark oozes a resinous juice which is indissoluble in water, but it is completely dissolvible in spirit of wine. The woods of Goiana and of Alhandra abound with these trees, and the Indians of the latter place gather the gum in considerable quantities, and sell it at from 20 to 40 reis per lb. It has almost the same medicinal virtues as turpentine; when applied in the form of a plaister to the forehead, it affords relief, and it usually removes the tooth-ach. Our apothecaries use it in making up some kinds of ointments. It is mixed by our people with the yellow wax of the country for the purpose of making candles for common use. A fourth part of tallow is added to it, for caulking canoes, water wheels of sugar mills, &c.

The gum is known under two forms; that which is white and clean is called almecega cozida or boiled; for the Indians who gather it, boil it for the purpose of separating the impurities, and they make loaves of it of 16 and 20 lbs. weight. The almecega crua, or raw, when dissolved in spirits of wine, might be used in the composition of some kinds of varnish; and being burnt, it might serve instead of incense, as is practised with the balsam of the Sertam, and as the resin of the amyris ambrosiaca or icica heptafylla of Aublet is used in some parts of America.

THE END.

Printed by A. Strahan,
New-Street-Square, London.

ERRATA.

Page 52, line 32, for Pernaiba read Parnaiba.
——...99, —— ...1, for he read the animal.
—— 123, ——... 4, for we read was.
—— 182, —— 28, for dress read dressed.
—— 189, —— 27, for sand read land.
—— 196, —— 19, for Utringa read Utinga.
—— 233, ——... 2, for Mamanguape read Maranguape.
—— 233, ——... 8, for superintending read superintended.
—— 352, —— 25, for ou read on.